A new cycling education program is rolling into local elementary schools this June.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Cycling Smarts\u00a0Pilot Program\u00a0is a collaboration between\u00a0the City of Waterloo,\u00a0the\u00a0Waterloo\u00a0Region District School Board,\u00a0the\u00a0Waterloo\u00a0Catholic District School\u00a0Board, Student\u00a0Transportation Services of Waterloo Region,\u00a0and The Working Centre. The program teaches\u00a0Grade 5\u00a0students how to ride safely and confidently in an urban environment. The program is offered\u00a0at no cost to\u00a0families and\u00a0is designed to include\u00a0all\u00a0students, including those with mobility needs and those who have never ridden a bike before.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLearning does not stop at the classroom door, and neither does our commitment to our students,\u201d said Annalisa Varano, Director of Education of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. \u201cThe Cycling Smarts Pilot Project is a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when school boards, municipalities, and community organizations come together around a shared belief in young people. Our students will gain practical skills, build resilience, and develop a deeper connection to the community they call home. At the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, we are\u00a0honoured\u00a0to be part of that journey.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Cycling Smarts Pilot Program is a great example of how strong community partnerships create meaningful opportunities for students,\u201d said Scott Miller, Chief Executive Officer of the Waterloo Region District School Board. \u201cThis program will give students the opportunity to build confidence, independence and practical life skills in a safe and supportive environment. Regardless of their experience or ability, students will develop healthy habits, strengthen their sense of belonging in the community, and gain the skills they need to navigate their world safely and confidently.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Early access\u00a0to cycling education is a proven way to build lifelong active transportation habits. Cycling is a healthy,\u00a0affordable\u00a0and accessible way for children and youth to get around, and\u00a0the City of Waterloo\u2019s\u00a0growing network of urban cycling routes gives them real options\u00a0to do\u00a0so. Learning to ride at a younger age also builds a sense of freedom and agency that organizers hope every participating student will carry with them. By reaching children whose parents may not cycle themselves, the program helps\u00a0provide access\u00a0to active transportation and supports local efforts toward\u00a0Bicycle Friendly Communities<\/a>\u00a0recognition.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0with future cyclists in mind that we continually expand our active transportation network. The City of Waterloo is recognized as a Gold Bicycle Friendly Community with\u202fover\u00a0230 km\u00a0of trails, bike lanes and signed bike routes connecting\u202fcyclists to key destinations in the city.\u202fCycling supports a healthy lifestyle, environmental sustainability and\u00a0provides\u00a0more options for getting around,\u201d said Chris Hodgson, Manager, Active Transportation at the City of Waterloo.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m so glad that Cycling Smarts is bringing comprehensive cycling education to Grade 5 students in the City of Waterloo, and I know first-hand how valuable this experience can be for kids,\u201d said Philip Martin, founder of Cycling Into The Future, the program after which Cycling Smarts is modelled. \u201cThis training will help older children ride more safely in their communities, and it will provide many other benefits \u2014 physical activity, an earth-friendly way to get around, something fun to do with friends. I\u2019m grateful that The Working Centre and the City of Waterloo are picking up where Cycling\u00a0Into\u00a0The\u00a0Future left off.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cRecycle Cycles is thrilled to be partnering on this pilot program, and the response from the schools has been amazing,\u201d said Cassandra Polyzou of The Working Centre. \u201cOur team is really excited to share their love of cycling with the kids and leave them with valuable skills to stay safe on the road.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The Cycling Smarts curriculum blends classroom lessons with on-the-bike practice. Students learn the core mechanics of riding alongside the road safety rules and shoulder-checking habits that keep them visible and aware. They practice navigating intersections and roundabouts, positioning themselves safely around parked and stopped vehicles, and applying a defensive-riding mindset that will serve them well beyond the classroom.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cChildren deserve to travel public spaces with their families and independently,\u00a0as their maturity allows, and Cycling Smarts helps them develop the skills and awareness to do so,\u201d said Keith Prudham, General Manager of Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region. \u201cWe are excited to work with this partnership to make it happen.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Cycling Smarts will run at St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School from June 1 to 5 and at Lincoln Heights Public School from June 15 to 19. Two\u00a0additional\u00a0schools are\u00a0expected to provide the program in\u00a0the fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n Media\u00a0Contact:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Lema Salaymeh Estefan\u00eda\u00a0Brandenstein
Senior Manager\u00a0of\u00a0Communications\u00a0
Waterloo Catholic District School Board\u00a0
Lema.Salaymeh@wcdsb.ca<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n
Communications Officer
Waterloo Region District School Board
Estefania_Brandenstein@wrdsb.ca<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n